Blues trip no 'circus' for Alex McLeish

Manager Alex McLeish has insisted Birmingham's pre-season trip to Hong Kong and China will not turn into a 'circus.'

The Blues boss is adamant the club's promotional duties in owner Carson Yeung's homeland will not interfere with his Premier League plans.

The team jet out to the Far East tomorrow ready to play three friendlies in their two week trip and McLeish believes football is paramount.

He said: "We're not out there for it to be a circus, to be pulled from pillar to post in terms of photo shoots, autograph sessions and things like that.

"We're going out there to prepare for the new season. We prepared in Austria for the last two seasons, that served us really well. We would have gone out there again had Carson Yeung not bought the club.

"This is why people have to realise we are there to prepare."

Birmingham have a photo shoot in a Hong Kong shopping mall and a charity dinner to attend, as Blues try to market themselves as a global brand and tap into the lucrative Asian market.

And McLeish understands the importance of the club's presence in China.

He added: "We know we're going for Carson to show his charges to the Chinese connections.

"We're 'China's club' and we're proud of that."